10 Tips to Help You Choose a Hypnotherapist For Nigel Magowan, www.hypnotize.me.uk So you have decided to try hypnotherapy to overcome your problem? That’s a good choice because it helps you overcome the blocks to making change like no other therapy. However, how to choose a good hypnotherapist is not such an easy choice – there are so many to choose from. How do you know if someone is competent and, more than that, the right one for you? Finding someone on the internet is the easy bit and the starting point. Here are ten steps to make that all-important decision: 1. Decide what you want to achieve from your hypnotherapy First of all be clear about what you want to achieve from your hypnotherapy. Is it weight loss? Anger management? More confidence? Stop smoking? Less anxiety? Or something else? You need to be specific so that you can find a hypnotherapist who has the expertise you are looking for. 2. Your initial search for a hypnotherapist A good therapist is likely to be listed on a search engine but not always at the top, so it is worth looking through a couple of pages until you find the right one. Start by keying in the specialisation you are looking for and the rough location. This will help to narrow it down for you. For example, if you want to work on your anxiety, keying in ‘hypnotherapist’ will bring up hundreds, if not thousands of hypnotherapists, some of whom will not have that as a speciality. A better search would be’anxiety hypnotherapy manchester’. 3. Look at their website A professional hypnotherapist will have a professional website. Does it look like they take their profession seriously? What does it say about them? How long have they been working in this field? What qualifications do they have? What professional memberships? Do they list your problem as a specialisation? 4. Your top 3 Check out a number of sites and select the top three you are most drawn to and then contact them with the questions listed below. 5. Interview them A confident, professional hypnotherapist will be very happy to answer any questions you have over the phone and some in person. If they aren’t, move onto the next one. Here are some questions for you: How long have you been in practice? You want someone who is well experienced – you don’t want to be the person they practice with. What qualifications do you have? Make sure they have a professional qualification. Write it down and check out the website of the governing body to see if they appear credible and professional. Also check that the answer is the same as given on their own site. Any evasiveness in their answer is a bad sign. Do you do other work as well as hypnotherapy? If they are also in paid employment there is a good chance that they have not made a success out of being a hypnotherapist and this should be a red flag. On what days/times do you see clients? A professional person will see clients on set days and times rather than be ready any time anywhere. How much do you charge? Getting the cheapest hypnotherapist is not a good strategy – they are likely to be inexperienced. When working on your unconscious, experience and expertise are essential. At best it is otherwise a false economy as a bad hypnotherapist will take more sessions or will have very short term results. What professional memberships do they have? If they seem a little evasive, it is not a good sign. A professional hypnotherapist will be signed up to a professional organisation. Does their answer match up to what is said on the website? How many sessions does it take to get results? This question is designed to test their professionalism and their skills. A professional hypnotherapist will not guarantee a set number of sessions. Everybody is different and change can only happen as quickly as your unconscious mind can accommodate that change. If they specify a number of sessions it is likely that they have a bunch of scripts, after which they are stuck with what to do with you. You don’t want a ‘scriptologist’ (someone who just reads out scripts), you want a bone fide hypnotherapist who will tailor their approach to your needs. 6. Check in with yourself 1 Do they appear genuinely interested in you and your problem or just getting you in the diary for an appointment? 7. Check in with yourself 2 Are you happy that they answered the questions with confidence? Did they appear flexible? Credible? Knowledgable? 8. Be realistic It is important to understand that hypnotherapy, whilst powerful, is not a magic bullet. It is a therapeutic process and so you need to be committed to it to get the full benefit from it. Are you willing to put in the number of sessions, the effort and the financial commitment? 9. Attend your appointment When you attend your first appointment do assess whether you feel comfortable, safe, heard and understood by the hypnotherapist. Do they appear to have a good grasp of how to help you? Do they come across as confident and professional? 10. Decide You should now have enough information to decide whether you believe this person is the right one to help you. Being nervous is normal, especially if you have not had hypnotherapy before. But, putting these natural nerves aside, listen to your gut when you make your decision. Any niggling doubts about whether you are comfortable with the person should not be ignored. Finally, do remember that hypnotherapy is a process. You need to be committed to the end result and work with your chosen therapist. Together you can achieve great results, massive insights and, if there was anything negative, it would be the wish that you had made the decision earlier. The Author Tricia Woolfrey is an advanced clinical hypnotherapist, coach and wellness practitioner based in Surrey and Harley Street. Her contact details are: Tel nos: 01932 354746 (Surrey) or 0845 130 0854 (Harley Street) Email: tricia@yourempoweredself.co.uk Website: www.yourempoweredself.co.uk Keywords: find hypnotherapists harley street, find hypnotherapists london, find hypnotherapists in surrey The article “10 Tips to Help You Choose a Hypnotherapist” was reproduced on the Inner Changes Hypnotherapy Manchester website with permission from Tricia Woolfrey.

What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an well understood and common issue, with its characteristic indicator of persistent daily anxiety without any obvious cause. Sometimes known as free floating anxiety or chronic worry. Around 1 in every 20 adults in Britain suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Anxiety is a natural part of day-to-day living and may occur in any part of our life. At low levels, anxiety is in fact very important and helpful as it keeps us safe by helping us avoid potential threats and mistakes, it can motivate us, and it ensures we think things through thoroughly before doing them. For example it is anxiety that ensures we have prepared for important exams and presentations. Depending on how we evaluate them, worrying events can have the power to actually strengthen us and build our confidence and self esteem as it can broaden our comfort zones, and encourage us to take action to overcome misunderstandings and improve our relationships with others. For many people however, the intensity of the anxiety can become so intense that it overwhelms them and interferes with their everyday activities. The cause of Generalised Anxiety Disorder is not simple and can be attributed to multiple factors. Environmental factors can contribute to high degrees of stress and anxiety. Long-term or unusually high amounts of emotional distress from life events such as relationship break ups, bereavement, job loss, financial problems, illness, work stress, and absence of support networks may contribute to the creation of anxiety disorders. Genetic susceptibility might additionally mean some people are much more vulnerable to stress and anxiety than others. Typical Symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder Generalised Anxiety can impair you both physically and psychologically. Psychological signs of Generalised Anxiety Disorder could be: uneasyness a feeling of fear or dread feeling constantly “on edge” problem concentrating irritability rashness being easily sidetracked The physical signs of Generalised Anxiety can feature: lightheadedness drowsiness and tiredness pins and needles irregular heartbeat (palpitations) muscular tissue aches and tension dry mouth too much sweating lack of breath stomach ache nausea diarrhea frustration thirstiness frequent urinating painful or missed periods trouble dropping or remaining asleep (insomnia and sleep disorders) Treatment for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Generalised anxiety disorder treatment in more acute cases will require professional help. It is necessary to first rule out any possible physical cause for your anxiety, so explore your symptoms with your GP first. Supportive talk therapies such as counselling, psychotherapy, NLP and clinical hypnotherapy are of immense value in the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder. In some cases however the anxiety may be so intense initially that your doctor will prescribe medication to reduce the anxiety symptoms to a level where you can more effectively engage in psychological therapy. Brief Therapies that make use of cognitive and behavioral strategies such as CBT and NLP can be an effective therapy for the various anxiety disorders. With these therapies you are shown ways to recognise and change the thought patterns, behaviours, and resulting emotional responses that are causing your anxiety, and ways to perceive each anxiety attack differently and more realistically, so you realise that it is your own mind and not the situation itself that is causing your anxiety. Also learning to experience your fears and tackle them aids in expanding your comfort zones and can build your confidence and self-esteem. Sometimes having an explanation of what is taking place in your body when you feel nervous, and a discussion about any worrying physical symptoms, generally helps reduce the anxiety by helping you realise that you do not have a serious physical issue. Uncertainty worsens stress and anxiety so having an understanding of them and a clear procedure for dealing with it often helps. Learning ways to literally manage the physical symptoms of your anxiousness using breathing techniques, awareness exercises, and muscle relaxation, will permit you to manage your bodily responses when you start to feel anxious. A well qualified and experienced therapist will be able to help you to explore your thought process, behaviours and emotions, and aid you in finding the solutions you need. Self-help for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) There are many effective ways to help yourself manage GAD and other anxiety disorders. However if you have severe anxiety then you should also seek professional assistance. Action or acceptance: The vast majority of what we worry about will never actually occur. Also for a large percentage of the things we worry about, we actually have absolutely no control or influence over it. So notice what you are worrying about, and ask yourself, do you personally have any direct control or influence over what you are worrying about? If the answer is yes, make an action plan and begin to take steps to change the situation so that it no longer worries you. Taking action, even if it is just small steps often helps alleviate stress and anxiety. If instead you realise you actually don’t have any control over the thing you are worrying about then finding a way to think differently about and accept what is happening is going to be much more beneficial and healthy. In fact the less anxious you are the more resourceful you’ll be, and the better able to cope and deal with whatever life actually throws at you. Lifestyle changes: Particular lifestyle activities can cause anxiety, or make existing anxiety even worse, such as drinking too much caffeine, an unhealthy diet, inadequate sleep routines, use of recreational drugs, lack of exercise, and social seclusion to name a few. Start by drinking less caffeine, develop a well balanced healthy diet and regular workout regimen, establish a healthy sleep routine, reduce your alcohol intake, and seek the company and support of your friends and family. Relaxation: An easy and remarkably effective anxiety disorder treatment is deep relaxation. This has been shown to be as effective as anxiolytic drugs when practiced once or twice daily. Any form of relaxation is going to be helpful, but relaxation procedures that supply both mental and deep muscle relaxation will be the most beneficial. Routine use of relaxation procedures such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing technique, meditation, biofeedback, mindfulness, yoga, and self-hypnosis have all been shown to be valuable. About the Author Nigel Magowan is based in Manchester, England, and is a professional and experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner and Life Coach. He is also a fully Accredited Psychotherapist. He has been in full-time private practice since 2002 and uses a flexible integrative cognitive behavioural approach which combines all his training, skills and experience to produce a Brief Therapy treatment that is customised to your unique personal needs. Over the years he has increasingly specialised in treating the various anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety at his Manchester practice. He is also an Approved Anxiety UK Therapist in Manchester. As someone who has previously suffered from anxiety, he is able to bring his own personal understanding into his anxiety related work with his clients. His Manchester Hypnotherapy, NLP, and psychotherapy practice in Chorlton, South Manchester is near to Streford, Didsbury, Withington, Stockport, Altrincham, Cheadle, Salford, Macclesfield, Worsley. Call him on 0161 881 4333 to make an enquiry or book an initial appointment now.

The Beneficial Effects of Ecotherapy More recently researchers have begun to understand what lots of people have known on an instinctive level for millennia: that the natural world can be a very beneficial aid to recovery for our psychological health. Healers have actually long made use of a therapeutic connection with nature in order to treat a large selection of mental and physical conditions. These ancient practices are actually now being rediscovered and have been given the collective name ‘Ecotherapy‘. Ecotherapy is a collective term for various nature-based treatments which use an experiential connection with nature. It’s a relatively new field, but one which has numerous ancient roots, drawing its ideas from both modern and ancient practices, including contemporary psychotherapy, counselling, nature-awareness, mindfulness, meditation, clinical hypnotherapy, NLP, shamanism, and bushcraft to name a few. The term Ecotherapy refers to many different nature-based therapies such as wilderness therapy, equine assisted therapy, pet therapy, horticultural therapy, walking therapy, natural awareness therapy. Our forefathers would have seen very little or no difference between the natural world and themselves; making use of nature to recover and sustain, physically, mentally and spiritually. The sad thing is, contemporary society has become more and more detached from nature. For millennia we existed in a close relationship with the natural world, and were intrinsically connected to the rhythms of our natural environment, a lot so that our demand for a relationship with nature need to live in our extremely genes. It would seem that, in spite of our technological innovations, we are still genetically hard-wired to need to be close to nature and living things. Most people are already familiar with the advantageous mental impacts of just being on a beach, paddling in a stream, or walking in woodlands or mountains. When taking our vacations, this might be why we are commonly drawn to locations of natural beauty. Mankind’s use of nature to enhance physical, spiritual and psychological well-being has been around most likely as long as humans have existed. Numerous researchers now think that psychological problems can emerge due to our disconnection from the natural environment. Our in-built need for a relationship with nature has become interfered with, leaving us unbalanced and open to a range of psychological and emotional troubles. It would appear that there is a strong need for us to re-integrate nature back into our lives to redress the balance. Research has actually shown that just being in green spaces can have considerable advantages on psychological well-being. This can be as simple as spending time gardening, sitting in a neighborhood park, or walking in the countryside. Ecotherapy takes this concept of being in green space further by actively developing and using this instinctive connection, and combining it with contemporary psychotherapeutic processes. Compared with many standard talking therapies, Ecotherapy is typically focused on experiential learning. Participants learn by means of engagement and immersing themselves in the environment and tasks, as well as by talking about and sharing their insights and experiences, thus personal growth can frequently occur without the lengthy conversation frequently associated with many talking therapies. More and more research is now showing that Ecotherapy has a powerful effect on many psychological conditions, including, anxiety, stress, anger, obsession, and depression. It can build self-esteem, inspiration, self-confidence, and improve communication and relationship skills. It can help put your life into perspective, establish self-reliance and imagination, and help you to discover that you can achieve things you never thought feasible. Ecotherapy Related Blog Nigel Magowan Presents His Research into the Potential Effectiveness of Ecotherapy as a Treatment for Anxiety, at the UKCP Research Conference at Regents College, London About the Author Nigel Magowan is a Manchester, UK based Ecotherapist, Accredited Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner and Life Coach. With over 11 years’ experience practicing psychotherapy, NLP and Hypnotherapy in Manchester and Harley Street. He is one of the first few people in the UK to provide Ecotherapy, which is provided either in weekly sessions, as part of an on-going regular open groups, or as weekend retreats and workshops. Nigel offers outdoor nature-based therapy and coaching for individuals, organizations, and business groups.

All you need is your anxiety and a tennis or juggling ball. Brain scan studies have demonstrated that anxiety only occurs in one hemisphere of the brain. If you force both hemispheres of the brain to communicate with some physical actions that involve both sides of the body then the anxiety state can be quickly diminished. Here’s what you do: 1. Conjure up the state of anxiety (if you are troubled by anxiety you may not need to do much conjuring). 2. Holding your hands out in front of you, elbows bent as if you were holding a tray. Toss the ball back and forth between your hands. The ball must cross in front of you as you catch and throw. As you do this you will find your anxiety level beginning to diminish. 3. After a while stop ‘juggling’ to gauge your level of anxiety. Typically it will be reduced. 4. Continue juggling and checking until the anxiety is reduced to zero. You can use this process when the anxiety arises or imagine an anxiety provoking situation and reduce the anticipated anxiety. Here’s a video explanation and demonstration of this approach by Andy Austin on YouTube. — Reproduced with permission from the author Andrew Austin . If you wish to reproduce this article on your own website or blog, please contact the author. You must include the author details and ensure any web links remain active and unchanged. The copyright remains with the author.